[New York Times ] Isabel Kershner - Israel has agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Hamas for the Gaza area starting Thursday. Senior Israeli defense ministry official Amos Gilad told Israel Radio on Wednesday that an understanding had been achieved. Maintaining a note of caution, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday that it was "difficult to determine how long" an agreement would last. Past understandings with the militant organizations have dissolved within months, with the smaller groups never having been brought under control. This time Israel is insisting that Hamas halt all fire from Gaza, and will hold it responsible for actions by smaller groups.
2008-06-18 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive